Right now I am in my hotel room in Mexico City after a busy afternoon checking out sights and sounds. It’s amazing how far our very little Spanish (and English-Spanish dictionary) is taking us. It’s tough but at least I know how to order my coffee the way I like it!

I was stressing before I left because I didn’t schedule any posts for the next two weeks that I’m on vacation, but I took some swatches of L’Oreal Color Infallible Eyeshadows before I left, so I might as well share them now.

L’Oreal Color Infallible Eyeshadows

From top to bottom, left to right:
Time Resist White
Permanent Kaki, Hourglass Beige
Forever Pink, Unlimited Sky, Flash Back Silver

From top to bottom, left to right:
Forever Pink, Unlimited Sky, Flash Back Silver
Purple Obsession, All Night Blue
Burning Black

My first impression of these is that they are incredible; they are creamy, long-lasting and apply with barely any fallout. The darker shades are more prone to fallout, but they are definitely better than other powder eyeshadows I’ve used in the past.

Keep reading to see swatches!

(...)
Read the rest of Swatches: L’Oreal Color Infallible Eyeshadows. (59 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 23 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: L'Oreal, Makeup, Reviews, Swatches | Tags: drugstore, eyeshadow

Ah, the season of the polished, darker lips is finally upon us.  Fall is all about drama.  After wearing the neon pinks and oranges all summer, I have missed my dramatic reds, berries and plums.  Here are four colour options that I have been wearing and loving lately.

From top to bottom: Maybelline 830 Plum Shine, Vasanti Denmark, FACE atelier Prim Rose, Maybelline Cranberry Crave

Maybelline 830 Plum Shine Color Sensational High Shine Lipstick *

I first saw Maybelline 830 Plum Shine Color Sensational High Shine Lipstick ($9.99) on Michelle of Lipstick Rules.  She raved about the lipstick, and of course, I had to have it.  At this price, I’d definitely pick up a few more.  Plum Shine is a plum-berry with a glossy, frosty finish.  I usually stay away from frosty lipsticks, but this one is done just right; I don’t feel tacky old lady with this lipstick on.  The glossy finish makes it a great option for lipgloss girls who want to try lipstick for the first time.

Maybelline 830 Plum Shine Color Sensational High Shine Lipstick

Wearing Maybelline 830 Plum Shine Color Sensational High Shine Lipstick

Vasanti Denmark Ultra Luxe Lipstick

It comes as no surprise to me that Vasanti Denmark Ultra Luxe Lipstick ($15) is one of Vasanti’s best-selling lipstick shades.  I mean, really, this is a “look at me” kinda shade.  So own it.  Denmark is an opaque berry magenta.  Because of its creamy formula, I pair it with Annabelle Burgundy Lipliner so it doesn’t migrate outside my lip line.  The shade wears a long time, stains the lips, and has Vasanti’s signature guava scent.  I think it might be a good dupe for MAC Rebel Lipstick.

Vasanti Denmark Ultra Luxe Lipstick

Wearing Vasanti Denmark Ultra Luxe Lipstick

FACE atelier Prim Rose Lip Glaze

I wrote about it before, and I still think that FACE atelier’s Lip Glaze is one of the best lipgloss formulas out on the market. I picked up FACE atelier Prim Rose Lip Glaze ($22) at IMATS last year and I’m so glad I did.  Primrose is a beautiful plummy rose lipgloss.  It is opaque, non-sticky and unscented.  I like this one because it’s a “my lips but vampier” kinda colour.  It’s certainly darker than my natural lip colour, but it is still a swipe-and-go kind of shade.  Don’t let the higher price fool you.  The tube is huge; it contains 0.5 oz of product, whereas MAC Lipglass has 0.17 oz.  That’s almost 3x the product!  This one is so worth the price.

FACE atelier Prim Rose Lip Glaze

Wearing FACE atelier Prim Rose Lip Glaze

Maybelline 85 Cranberry Crave Shine Sensational Lipgloss *

If you like your lip gloss on the sheer side, I like Maybelline 85 Cranberry Crave Shine Sensational Lipgloss ($6.99).  This one has a sweet taste, though, but it’s not totally awful.  It is super glossy and low on the shimmer.  This is a great pick for those who don’t usually go bold on the lips.  It’s perfect to layer on top of the Plum Shine lipstick.

Maybelline 85 Cranberry Crave Shine Sensational Lipgloss

Wearing Maybelline 85 Cranberry Crave Shine Sensational Lipgloss

Other Great Colours For Fall…

Here are some more from the lipstick vault that you might want to try.

• MAC Party Line Lipstick
• Marcelle Rouge Xpression Cleopatra Lipstick
• Marcelle Rouge Xpression Obsession Lipstick
• Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Demure Lip Tar

Your Favourite Lipsticks/Lipglosses For Fall: Go!

It’s totally the best season for lips.  What are your old standbys, or new acquisitions for the colder season?

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 23 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: FACE atelier, MAC, Marcelle, Maybelline, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Vasanti | Tags: drugstore, lipgloss, lipstick

When I got my Fembotika lash extensions taken out, I suffered from major lash withdrawal. I was back to bad ol’ lashes. They looked shorter and more sparse than I remembered. I knew it was all in my head though, and mascara became my best friend to — quite literally — fill the void.

Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara

In the past month, I’ve been wearing Annabelle Le Big Show mascara ($9.95), which promises a full volumized lash fringe in one coat.

For a volumizing mascara, I honestly think the Annabelle Le Big Show mascara can’t be beat. It does a great job separating the lashes and coating each hair with the right amount of product.  The formula is between dry and medium-wet, so it gives you time to work the product through your lashes without getting a clumpy mess.  The bristles on the wand really makes a difference, too.  The wand is the same as that in Marcelle Power Volume mascara, except Le Big Show’s is tapered at the tip.  This lets me get the smallest lashes at the corners of my eyes.

Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara

After one coat, it delivered nice volume and separation. I noticed a slight relaxation of the curl in my lashes, but it was barely noticeable. It made my lashes very black as it should.

No mascara / One coat / Two coats of Annabelle Le Big Show (click to enlarge)

In the past, my experience with “one-coat wonders” weren’t very good.  While pretty after one coat, they were very difficult to build up, and this is where Annabelle Le Big Show separates itself from the pack.  This mascara builds very well, creating a false lash look without crossing over to spider lash territory (which is on trend this Fall, but I’m not totally sold on it).  It wears fantastically, too; no smudging or flaking for a full day.

No mascara / One coat / Two coats of Annabelle Le Big Show (click to enlarge)

So do I recommend Annabelle Le Big show?  Yes, yes, and yes, I do!  Step aside, L’Oreal Voluminous.  As long as Le Big Show is available, I will no longer require your service.  Holy freakin’ grail.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 32 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Makeup, Reviews | Tags: drugstore, holy grail, mascara

So you’ve seen my lipstick bandit face.  You haven’t?  Here it is again to jog your memory:

I can say that this is the most makeup I’ve ever worn.  That was A LOT of makeup.  I used mostly long-wearing products like my beloved MAC Blacktrack Fluidline (this even stays on my waterline for a full work day) and Illamasqua Alchemy liquid glitter eyeliner (this liner stays for days on my hand even with regular hand washing).

Marcelle Essentials Purity Soothing Cleansing Water

During the makeup process, Marcelle Essentials Purity Soothing Cleansing Water ($14.50) was a godsend for cleaning up the lines of my mask.  The non-oily formula lets me clean up mistakes without melting the rest of my makeup.  With some cleansing water on a cotton bud, this task was super simple and easy to do.

Marcelle Essentials Purity Soothing Cleansing Water and cotton pads (gross!)

Now, cleaning up that mask was a massive job. I let out a huge sigh, and started working the cleansing water with a cotton pad all over my face. I am so impressed with this makeup remover! Cleanup was a snap, and two very dirty cotton pads later, I looked like a normal person again.

You know you want to see how much it picked up, so… behold.

Yo that’s so… ewwwhyyoushowthatontheinternet;alsdkj;s

Just keeping it real, you know.

The cleanser is a rinse-free formula, so it’s great for lazy nights when you just want to take off your makeup without splashing your face. I’ve never personally done this because I live in pollution-central, but really, your face feels really clean after. This is an incredible cleanser. Get it. You won’t be disappointed.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 19 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Makeup, Marcelle, Reviews, Skincare | Tags: drugstore, face wash, makeup remover

I’m going to spare you the long-winded introduction that you probably never ever read anyway.  I am really this excited to tell you about this drugstore gem that I just discovered.  It’s called Annabelle Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencil ($8.95) and it is sensational.  I have it in Acaidisiac, a limited edition bright turquoise.

Annabelle Smoothie Eyeshadow pencils are cream eyeshadows or eyeliners in jumbo pencil format.  They go on the lids very opaque and creamy for effortless blending with a brush or finger.  They promise more than 9 hours of comfortable wear without creasing, smudging or melting.

Annabelle Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencil in Acaidisiac

Did it deliver?  Oh, did it ever!  On my slip-’n-slidey eyelids, I wore this without any eye primer before I went out for a day in the park.  It was very humid and on top of that, this sweaty girl rode her bike by the lake.  Ten hours later, my eye makeup was still in tact.  Seriously amazing, yes?

Annabelle also claims that the pencils are waterproof, and this is mostly true.  I found that it faded a little when I put a puddle of water on my eyelids and blotted.  Yes, I know it’s extreme, but what if I get caught under a really bad storm?

After seeing this colour, I got inspired to recreate a look from the Christian Dior S/S 2011 RTW runway, featuring bright colour blocking makeup.  It’s quite clowny and costume-y in person, but damn was it ever fun to recreate!

Source: Style.com

Wearing Annabelle Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencil in Acaidisiac

I’m also wearing Annabelle Le Big Show mascara (on Fembotika lashes), Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum, MAKE UP FOR EVER #17 Espresso Eyeshadow (to contour cheeks), and MAC Lady Danger lipstick.

And another face photo, complete with freaky blank expression

They are available now at pharmacies and mass retail stores.

What’s Your Favourite Long-Wearing Eye Makeup?

Besides this, I also love Giorgio Armani waterproof pencil, Smashbox Jet Set gel liner and of course, MAC Fluidline.  They last even on my waterline!

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 49 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Looks, Makeup, Reviews, Swatches | Tags: drugstore, eyeliner, eyeshadow, fotd, holy grail, inspiration, looks i'm loving

For many years, I have been loyal to Dove’s line of deodorants.  It was for good reason, too.  Those deodorants stopped unpleasant odours in their tracks.  They worked so well that I thought I was one of those Asian people who sweat but do not smell.

As an experiment, I looked for a new deodorant a couple months ago and picked up Adidas Cotton Tech Absorbent Deodorant.  I won’t lie; it was a total disaster.  The deodorant barely made it through an 8-hour workday.  By the time I got home, my armpits smelled like, well, smelly armpits.  It was so bad that there was no way I’d go to Booty Camp without re-applying first.  Back to the drawing board I went.

Lady Speed Stick Stainguard 24H Antiperspirant in Radiantly Fresh

On my second try, I bought Lady Speed Stick Stainguard 24H Antiperspirant in Radiantly Fresh (about $5 at Wal-mart).  This particular line of deodorants gets great reviews on the web that garner ridiculous remarks like “I raise my arms to smell my deliciously scented armpits.”  Seriously?  What normal girl does that?  Was Lady Speed Stick Antiperspirant too good to be true?

First, the bad news: I have a problem with sweating, so I’ve learned to live with the fact that this and other women’s antiperspirants just can’t stop the wetness completely.

Lady Speed Stick Stainguard 24H Antiperspirant in Radiantly Fresh

However!

Everything else about this deodorant is awesome.  The smell is so fresh that yes, I do catch myself taking a whiff of it throughout the day.  It lasts me an entire day, even through sweaty hours of boot camp. It goes on completely clear, so it leaves no embarrassing white residue that I’ve experience previously with Dove.  What more could I ask for?

Lady Speed Stick Stainguard 24H Antiperspirant has made me feel like a non-stinky Asian girl again, and for that I’m very thankful.

What’s In Your Deodorant Drawer?

What do you use to keep your underarms fresh?  Any good antiperspirants?  I am dying to try Origins Totally Pure Deodorant but I am a little hesitant to spend $20 on a deodorant.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 17 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Reviews | Tags: bath and body, deodorant, drugstore, Lady Speed Stick

Marcelle Rouge Xpression Lipsticks in 804 Paris Rose, 950 Delirium, 901 Amour, 855 Cleopatra, 851 Obsession

Swatches of Marcelle Rouge Xpression Lipsticks in 804 Paris Rose, 950 Delirium, 901 Amour, 855 Cleopatra, 851 Obsession

The Marcelle Rouge Xpression Lipstick ($11.95) line is, in two words, pure genius.  I own a lot of lipsticks.  I even buy lipsticks close to $40 (*cough* Chanel *cough*).  What I didn’t believe was possible is really true: a drugstore line could rival the quality of my most favourite high-end lipsticks.  Click here for the rest of the original review.

• 804 Paris Rose is a light coral.  It has a cream finish.
• 950 Delirium is a fiery orange red.  It has a pearl finish.
• 901 Amour is a bright blue-based red.  It has a cream finish.
• 855 Cleopatra is a muted magenta.  It has a cream finish.
• 851 Obsession is a vampy deep wine.  It has a pearl finish.

804 Paris Rose is a beautiful fresh colour that will be a crowd favourite for the warmer months.  950 Delirium has a lot more red in it than MAC Neon Orange.  901 Amour is brighter than Vasanti USA.  855 Cleopatra is an absolutely stunning (!!!) magenta that reminds me a lot of MAC Spitfire from Wonder Woman.  851 Obsession isn’t forgiving of flaky lips because of its dark tone and pearl finish.  It was one of the last lipsticks I swatched, and my lips were pretty irritated and dry from swatching at that point and it shows.  I personally prefer the creams in this batch as they were opaque in a single pass.

Read on to see lip and full face swatches!

(...)
Read the rest of Marcelle Rouge Xpression Lipsticks: Team Brights. (345 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 19 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Makeup, Marcelle, Reviews, Swatches | Tags: drugstore, lipstick, pink lips, red lips

Marcelle Rouge Xpression Lipsticks in 853 Jezebel, 752 Couture, 900 Passion, 750 Sensation, 751 Provocative

Swatches: Marcelle Rouge Xpression Lipsticks in 853 Jezebel, 752 Couture, 900 Passion, 750 Sensation, 751 Provocative

The Marcelle Rouge Xpression Lipstick ($11.95) line is, in two words, pure genius.  I own a lot of lipsticks.  I even buy lipsticks close to $40 (*cough* Chanel *cough*).  What I didn’t believe was possible is really true: a drugstore line could rival the quality of my most favourite high-end lipsticks.

All Rouge Xpressions are fragrance-free and taste-free.  These amazingly creamy lipsticks melt on your lips on contact with absolutely zero dragging, similar to the shu uemura Rouge Unlimited lipstick.  But despite their creaminess, somehow they are able to stay put on my lips where I apply them, even without lip liner.  These lipsticks easily last for 5 to 6 hours on me, which is very impressive for a creamy lipstick.  As the day goes on they stain the lips and fade evenly.

• 853 Jezebel is a mauve pink.  It has a cream finish.
• 752 Couture is a medium rosy brown.  It has a pearl finish.
• 900 Passion is more brown and darker than Couture.  It has a pearl finish.
• 750 Sensation is a dark rosy brown.  It is very similar to Couture, but is just a tad darker.  It is supposedly a cream, but feels very much like a pearl.  It contains a subtle gold pearl.
• 751 Provocative is a brick red.  It has a cream finish.

All of these shades applied evenly with the exception of 900 Passion.  Warm skin tones can easily pull off the last four.  853 Jezebel is a great my-lips-but-better shade for cool skin tones, but not on myself, unfortunately.  752 Couture, 900 Passion, and 750 Sensation are fabulous choices for a conservative office setting.

Stay tuned for part 2 if you like your lipsticks bright!

Read on to see lip and full face swatches!

(...)
Read the rest of Marcelle Rouge Xpression Lipsticks: Team Neutrals. (412 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 22 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Makeup, Marcelle, Reviews, Swatches | Tags: drugstore, lipstick

Rimmel Stay Glossy Lipgloss in Black Diva

When I first laid my eyes on Rimmel Stay Glossy Lipgloss in Black Diva ($7.99), I was overcome by a mix of inspiration and holy-crap-that’s-really-black!  But you know, beauty blogger needs to make it work.  Challenge accepted.

My gut reaction was to layer it on top of a red lipstick for a vampy lip.  I’ve never done one myself, so I thought it was about time.  I’m sure there are people out there who would wear Black Diva on its own, but not me.  I’m pretty sure I would scare the living daylights out of my cat Scherbatsky.  I’ll then have to reassure her, “Scherbie, it’s mommy, I promise!”

If you want to rock this on its own, I salute you!  I’ll stick with my deepened red lips, thankyouverymuch.  Here I layered it over MAC Lipstick in Dare You.

MAC Lipstick in Dare You / Rimmel Lipgloss in Black Diva / Layered Swatches

MAC Lipstick in Dare You and Rimmel Lipgloss in Black Diva Lip Swatch (Layered)

Wearing MAC Lipstick in Dare You and Rimmel Lipgloss in Black Diva

Pretty wearable, isn’t it?  Would you wear it?  Or does it bring back memories of your goth days back in high school?

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 14 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Makeup, Rimmel, Swatches | Tags: drugstore, lipgloss, lipstick, red lips

I have read only amazing things about Annabelle Smudgeliners ($8.95), and so I was really excited when these came in the mail.

Smudgeliners are waterproof pencils that come with a smudging sponge on the opposite end. These are not automatic pencils; they are enclosed in a plastic casing that you sharpen with a regular eyeliner sharpener. The ends have caps to protect both the pencil and the smudger from getting damaged.

Oh and how do we like this background? It’s in boyfriend’s apartment’s backyard.

I have good news and bad news. Which one do you want to read first?

Good news? I thought so.

Good News: Ohmygoth! This is Totally Like, a Great Eyeliner.

Ohmygoth! is a basic, creamy black. It is a rich, dark black. You won’t hear any complaints about the colour from me. It is pretty much everything that I was expecting about Smudgeliners. It wore well throughout my day; it didn’t slide or fade on my lash lines.

Because it is waterproof, I was brave enough to wear this on my waterline. And what do you know? Besides smudging off on the outer corners of my eyes — a.k.a. a makeup slip and slide party — it stayed put on the rest of my waterline. Incredible staying power. This glides on pretty easily just like Urban Decay 24/7 liners, so it gets extra brownie points for that. Great black eyeliner, great price. Rating: A.

Bad News: That was the Calm Before the Purple Storm.

Is there such a thing as being less waterproof? Because that’s what Purple Storm feels like to me. First of all, the colour payoff is just not there. The deep burgundy on the pencil does not translate to rich swatches. It’s just meh. The pencil itself is not smooth like buttah; it tugs a bit when I apply to my lash line. Also, I found the formula to be very clumpy. It feels weird to say that about an eyeliner. I find that this one fades a lot, and because it starts out craptacular, I end up with barely anything at the end of the day. Not a fan of this at all. Rating: D.

And Of Course, Some Swatches!

Swatches, and How I feel about these eyeliners.

After running the swatches under a garden hose. I also ran my fingers back and forth after this — no budging.

Disclosure: These products were sent by Groupe Marcelle for consideration only.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2010. | Permalink | 18 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Makeup, Reviews, Swatches | Tags: drugstore, eyeliner